Halal food 'could fund terror' Abbott backbencher claims

Consumers who buy Halal products could be funding Islamic extremism, an Abbott government backbencher claims.

In an opinion article titled Terror in the Tucker Box, Nationals MP George Christensen questions whether shoppers who buy goods with the Halal logo are funding a push for Sharia law - or even backing terrorists.

Mr Christensen says there's no way to know where the funds from Halal-certified goods end up, despite conceding one certifier builds mosques and funds education programs with the money.

He said it was "outrageous" his grocery dollars were going towards a "religious tax" - listing Halal-approved products such as Vegemite, Corn Flakes and Freddo Frogs.

"Worse still, I don't know whether my grocery spend is going to fund extremist versions of that religion or extremist religious activities that I would rather not see in Australia," Mr Christensen wrote in the article on his website.

The Nationals deputy whip said it was "entirely feasible" to think some Halal certifiers could be financing groups like Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood, citing cases in the US where such links were found.

"While it's not terrorism, there is no doubt Halal certification is funding organisations with extremist views and activities in Australia.

"It's lovely to know a jar of the salty black stuff is sponsoring the advocacy of robbing women of all of their marital property rights."

Controversy over Halal certification has come to a boil over the past few weeks.

South Australian dairy producer Fleurieu Milk and Yoghurt Company was forced to drop its Halal certification after receiving threats on social media.

Comment is being sought from other government ministers.